Canada Announces $12 Million in Additional Support for Rule of Law in Afghanistan

June 12, 2009

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs today announced that Canada will help strengthen the rule of law in Afghanistan—one of Canada’s six priorities in the country—through an additional contribution of $12 million to support Afghan police salaries.

“This contribution demonstrates our continued commitment to helping Afghans improve security and rebuild their country as a stable, democratic and self-sufficient society,” said Minister Cannon.

The International Police Coordination Board, which is chaired by Mohamad Hanif Atmar, Afghanistan’s Minister of Interior, recently approved an increase in the number of police officers countrywide, including at least 1,000 new recruits in Kandahar province, ahead of Afghanistan’s elections in August. This additional $12 million in funding to the United Nations Development Programme’s Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) will help pay the salaries of Afghan National Police officers in the province of Kandahar.

“During my visit to Kandahar in March, I witnessed first-hand the commitment and bravery of Afghan police officers and the efforts underway to rebuild the Afghan National Police,” said Minister Cannon. “It was evident that Afghanistan requires continued support to develop a professional police force that will work with the Afghan National Army to gradually take over responsibility for security in the country from its international partners.”

“Canada is playing a vital role alongside our international partners to help bring security to the region,” said Minister Cannon. “Today’s announcement further demonstrates our continued engagement in helping the Government of Afghanistan promote the rule of law and ensure the safety of its citizens.”

For more information on Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan, please visit: www.afghanistan.gc.ca/canada-afghanistan/index.aspx?lang=eng.

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A backgrounder follows.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx